Chapter 7 - The NICU Milestone
Three weeks passed inside the sterile, high-stakes ecosystem of the neonatal intensive care unit.
During those twenty-one days, Grant Bennett did not step foot inside a single corporate boardroom. He traded his corner office for a reclining chair beside Sophie in Room 312, and his multi-million dollar negotiations for hourly updates from pediatric specialists.
Together, they watched their tiny son—whom they officially named Leo Bennett—grow stronger by the gram.
It was a crisp Thursday afternoon when Dr. Ramirez walked into Room 312 holding a white discharge binder with a wide, triumphant smile.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bennett,” the doctor said brightly. “I have a feeling you’re both going to like this.”
Sophie gasped, sitting up straight in the hospital bed. “Is he ready?”
“His lungs are fully independent, his weight has stabilized at four pounds and twelve ounces, and his vitals are textbook perfect,” Dr. Ramirez announced. “Leo is ready to go home.”
Tears of pure joy spilled over Sophie’s lashes, and she threw her arms around Grant’s neck, burying her face in his shoulder. Grant wrapped his arms around her tightly, burying his face in her dark hair, feeling a wave of overwhelming gratitude wash away years of cold isolation.
An hour later, Grant carried the tiny, flannel-wrapped bundle out of the NICU doors, walking side-by-side with Sophie down the hospital corridor.
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For the first time in his life, Grant didn't feel like a billionaire carrying an empire on his shoulders.
He felt like a father carrying his whole world.
